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Transport, roads and parking

Road adoption

Adopted roads

An adopted road is a term used to describe council ownership and responsibility for a road.

Adopted roads are maintained by the council as highway authority.

On new estates there is usually an agreement between the council and the developer that the council will take on responsibility for the roads. If you are buying a house on a new estate your solicitor will find this out as part of their conveyancing service.

Unadopted roads

An unadopted road is a private street which is maintained by the local residents rather than the highway department.

The council as a highway authority have no obligation to carry out repairs or cleansing to the street.

The public may have a right to use the road and most traffic regulations still apply.

Existing private roads will not normally be adopted unless they are brought up to current standards by the owners of the road.